At the limit: Top athlete Insignia OPC and adventurer Insignia Country Tourer

Best connectivity: ADAM Black Link special edition with IntelliLink and Siri Eyes Free

First hand experiences: Opel partners from football and motorsports on site

Rüsselsheim/Essen. In 2014, Opel will be racing full speed ahead into its second season of motorsport activities. Visual proof of this at the Essen Motor Show (Nov 30 – Dec 8) is the premiere of the Rallye ADAM R2, together with the Astra GTC and the Corsa OPC in typical motorsport guises. Another attention-grabbing highlight on the Opel stand (A120 in Hall 3.0) is the visionary Monza Concept.

Opel also shows how it is moving into the future with a series of new production cars which demonstrate the brand’s commitment to sportiness and connectivity. Visitors can get a close-up look at top Insignia OPC and Insignia Country Tourer models, as well as the elegant mid-size Cascada convertible, the dynamic and compact Mokka SUV and the stylish ADAM Black Link. The Astra Sports Tourer, with BiTurbo diesel power, also brings ultra-modern, high-torque engine technology to Essen.

In addition, fans can see their sports idols up close as many Opel partners from the world of soccer and motorsport will be appearing on the Opel stand. At the interview followed by an hour’s signing of autographs, the goal scorers from Fortuna Düsseldorf (30.11., 14-15.00), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (1.12, 14-15.00) and Borussia Dortmund (08.12, 13-14.00) are ready to answer the questions that come their way. Already on several days, Joachim “Jockel” Winkelhock together with the successful young ADAM-Rallye-pilot Marijan Griebel and Fabian Kreim tell of the exciting atmosphere in the cockpit (30.11, 11-12 and 15-16 hours; 1.12, 11-12 and 15-16 hours.) Visitors of the Essen Motor Show will be able to meet the two high flyers on site also on the 7.12 from 11-12 and from 14-15 hours.

On track and on road: ADAM R2, Astra GTC and Corsa OPC in motorsport guise

Opel’s comeback to motorsport created lots of excitement among fans and media alike during the 2013 season. The launch of the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup, with 24 identical ADAM Cup cars, attracted numerous followers, as did the Astra OPC Cup on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife within the framework of the VLN Endurance Championship. With the arrival of the ADAM R2 Rallye car, carrying Opel’s signature yellow-black-white colors, the brand now makes its next big splash in motorsport. This small but swift powerhouse, with about 190 hp on tap, makes its public debut in Essen and will appear on the national and European rallying stage from the beginning of next year.

The Astra GTC and Corsa OPC in special motorsport trim are now ready to go into series production. They bring sporty performance onto the road. The Astra GTC in motorsport guise, for example, features a 1.6-liter ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine from Opel’s new powertrain generation which delivers 147 kW/200 hp and 280 Nm maximum torque, while the Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition packs a 155 kW/210 hp engine, also with 280 Nm maximum torque. Show visitors will be left in no doubt about the level of power under the hood of these cars: they share cool, racing car looks, with an all-white exterior emblazoned by crisp yellow-black-grey motorsport decals. The Corsa OPC with motorsport package is already available to order at its premiere at Essen, while its Astra GTC counterpart will follow next spring.

Opel Monza Concept: Infotainment and connectivity for tomorrow

Sporty and efficient with all-round connectivity – that is what the automotive future looks like. And in all these areas, the Opel Monza Concept is both a visionary and pioneer. With its captivating exterior styling and innovative modular powertrain system design, the Monza Concept embodies stylish and ultra-modern efficiency on four wheels and takes this into the interior. Here Opel’s latest concept car impresses with unique LED projection technology and versatile connectivity possibilities. Although it may all seem like a quantum leap for today’s drivers in Essen, this level of technology will soon be a normal part of everyday life. By showcasing what lies in store, the Monza Concept is an impressive role-model for the next generation of Opel cars.

Insignia OPC and Insignia Country Tourer: Opel’s top series production models

In every way and in every variant, the new Opel Insignia range is simply captivating. With 239 kW/325 hp and 435 Nm maximum torque, the Insignia OPC is Opel’s top-of-the-line performer. This all-wheel drive model features new, refreshed looks and a modified chassis which shows its abilities on winding country roads as well as fast, open stretches of autobahn. With a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive, the Insignia OPC sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The cabin welcomes drivers with a pure motorsport ambience. Recaro performance seats, the OPC gearshift knob, and a new main instrument panel giving driver-specific information all exude premium flair.

The new Insignia Country Tourer is the adventurer of the Insignia family. This athletic all-rounder features under-ride décor elements front and rear, combined with prominent wheel-arch and lower body cladding, all complemented by dual exhaust tailpipes. The Country Tourer is equipped for the rigors of uneven terrain by the addition of a standard protective guard under the engine compartment which is made from high-strength steel and specially-coated for durability. State-of-the-art all-wheel drive ensures grip and sure-footed handling in all driving conditions. It is teamed with powerful turbo engines such as the 184 kW/250 hp, 2.0-liter ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo gasoline unit or a 143 kW/195 hp high-performance 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI – both generating impressive maximum torque of 400 Nm.

Essen Motor Show visitors can take a close look at Opel’s ultra-modern BiTurbo technology in the Astra Sports Tourer. With sequential BiTurbo power, this compact station wagon accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds. Maximum speed is 224 km/h – faster than any other Astra Sports Tourer. While ensuring strong performance and lots of driving fun, twin-turbo technology is also ultra-efficient and exceptionally frugal.

The Opel Cascada sets new standards for mid-size convertibles. This classy four-seat drop-top offers year-round comfort and is defined by its elegant, elongated silhouette. The high-quality soft-top can be deployed within 17 seconds at driving speeds up to 50 km/h, making it one of the fastest and best on the market. The Cascada also delivers a sharp driving experience with its super-rigid body and advanced HiPerStrut front suspension –initially developed for the high performance Insignia OPC – together with FlexRide adaptive damping and newest-generation, high-performance engines. Premium equipment and features otherwise found only in high-end convertibles all contribute to enhanced levels of comfort.

Compact Opel Mokka: Impressive ‘All-wheel Drive Car of the Year 2013’

‘All-wheel drive Car of the Year 2013’, ‘Best SUV in its class’, ‘Design Trophy winner’ – these are just some of the many awards the Opel Mokka has received, causing quite a sensation in its segment. To date, 145,000 orders have come in for the Mokka from all over Europe. In all respects, the compact, dynamic Opel SUV makes a convincing case. At 4.28 meters long, it provides generous accommodation with high seating positions for five occupants. Available with front or all-wheel drive, the chassis is also suitable for use beyond the limits of paved roads. Mokka customers can now choose high-torque and economical gasoline, diesel or LPG engines. Technologies and comfort details, such as the ultra-modern IntelliLink infotainment system, Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) and ergonomic seats with the AGR (Campaign for Healthy Backs) seal of approval, make the Mokka even more attractive.

Opel ADAM Black Link: Optimal connectivity and stylish travel

The chic Opel ADAM has been turning heads since its market launch at the beginning of 2013. Its unconventional, colorful appearance and its limitless personalization possibilities all ensure it remains an attention-getter. Practically every ADAM is a unique vehicle. This small urban car now once again proves its role as the innovative individualization champion with the launch of the ADAM Black Link variant. This special model is like a sophisticated smartphone on wheels. Opel offers the ADAM Black Link not only with the award-winning, clever IntelliLink infotainment system and Siri Eyes Free voice control fitted as standard, but also in a very special black-white smartphone design with brushed aluminum accents. It thus embodies a perfect blend of ultra-modern infotainment and connectivity technology with clear, technically-inspired design.

The Essen Motor Show takes place from November 30 to December 8 and is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 9 a.m. at weekends.

Opel ADAM R2 Rallye car: This small but swift powerhouse, with about 190 hp on tap, makes its public debut in Essen and will appear on the national and European rallying stage from the beginning of next year.